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Pulse Lab Jakarta

Pulse Lab Jakarta (PLJ) combines data science and social research to help make sense of our interconnected, interdependent, and complex world. The Lab is a joint initiative of the United Nations and the Government of Indonesia, via United Nations Global Pulse and the Ministry of National Development and Planning (Bappenas) respectively.

As the first innovation lab of its kind in Asia, Pulse Lab Jakarta is working to close information gaps in the development and humanitarian sectors through the adoption of big data, real-time analytics and artificial intelligence.

Our Mission

To help harness big data and artificial intelligence responsibly as a public good. As part of the Global Pulse network, our mission is to accelerate the discovery and adoption of data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action.

In response to the needs of our partners, coupled with our own insights, Pulse Lab Jakarta:

Conducts cutting-edge research on a blend of new and existing data sources.

Generates data products and tools to identify solutions.

Connects data innovators from across the region to scale our collective impact.

Research and Policy Impact

In consultation with the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations Country Team, PLJ identifies various national development priorities for applied research. The projects are multidisciplinary with an emphasis on using results to better development and humanitarian action.

Using datasets drawn from mobile communications, remote sensing, and social media, among others, the Lab has generated insights for policy and practice on topics ranging from fuel subsidies to natural disasters. Across our research projects, many of which are delivered alongside partners from the UN and government, the Lab relies on the expertise of its team of data scientists, data engineers, statisticians, policy specialists and ethnographers.

Lab Highlights - Tools and Projects

Why Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest ASEAN Member State by population size. The use of mobile technology and internet penetration have skyrocketed in recent years, notably with citizens’ engagement on social media. According to a 2017 report by GetCRAFT, around 50 per cent of the country’s estimated population of 260 million are internet users, and significantly, 40 per cent are active social media users. These factors thus position Indonesia as a prime location for a UN Global Pulse lab.

Become A Pulse Lab Partner

Pulse Lab Jakarta is keen on forming partnerships with companies and organisations within the region and beyond to collaborate on research. Partnerships may be established by: